MBC justifies bid to televise Musambuka murder trial: ‘Persons with albinism attacks has attracted public interest’
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has argued that the murder case of the late MacDonald Masambuka, a person with albinism where 12 people including a Roman Catholic priest are defending themselves against the charge of murder, has attracted “public interest” and “attention” hence its application that it can be broadcast live on national TV and radio.
MBC dirtector general Aubrey Sumbuleta in sworn affidavit lodged with the High Court seen by Nyasa Times that the tax-funded news organisation would like to broadcast the entire proceedings and the delivery of the judgement on the matter.
He said that broadcasting the proceedings s members of the general public will have the most immediate coverage and most accurate information about the case through a pure live feed uncensored and unedited accessible to the widest audience.
In his affidavit which was sworn in Blantyre om March 8 2019 witnessed by Felix Tandwe as Commissioner of oath, stated that “the case has attracted immeasurable public interest considering that it revolves around, among others, the recent spate of killings and absuctions of people with albinism.”
He argued: “Most important the case has aroused much more interest because of the fact that the 24 persons with albinism have either been killed or gone missing since 2014.”
The MBC boss argues that Malawians have a “legitimate interest” in the case before the court and it is well within their rights to access the information.
“However, only a few Malawians that have been able to enter the court room are the ones that have been able to accurately follow the proceedings,” he stated.
“A handful of Malawians with access to print and electronic media platforms have been able to follow the case through media reports about the case that are usually inaccurate and delayed,” reads a sworn affidavit by Sumbuleta.
He said through a live broadcast of the case, the accused right to fair trial will not be affected in any way.
But defence lawyers had said it would prejudice proceedings.
When the case came to court on Monday, it was adjourned in the morning after lawyer Lewis Banda representing Roman Catholic priest Thomas Muhosha, was not present in the court.
Banda has just been hired to represent Father Muhosha replacing lawyer Ian Twea.
High Court Judge Zione Ntaba ordered Muhosha to summon his new lawyer to show up in court in the afternoon.
Legal Aid Bureau lawyer Trouble Kalua is representing nine suspects in the case while lawyer Timothy Chirwa is representing clinical officer Lumbani Kamanga.
State lawyers include Joel Matonga, Steven Kayuni and Dzikondianthu Malunda.
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a sumbuleta zomvetsa chisoni. DPP mwezi wa mawa ikutuluka m’boma wa ku opposition kukajoyina prof. chisi ndi azinzake
Okupha kapena kuzembetsa ma albino aliyense akuwadziwa bwino Mmalawi muno, coverage tikufuna ife a Sumbuleta ndi ya misonkhano ya opposition, period osati opera mukufuna mutionetseyo ayi. Remember with God all things are possible, anzanu anayesera kutukwana anthu a Mulungu koma mmalo mwake amawadalitsa so you think your gyz will say what you have told them, you will be ashamed when they will be saying the opposite. GOD IS WATCHING EVERY MOVE
Sumbuleta is stupid together with his DPP fellows, they must know what ever thy are doing GOD is watching and mwazi wa ma albino amene anaphedwa ukufuwulira ku nthaka
Ankolo Sumbuleta ndikudikirabe kuti ndimve chomwe chinawaotcha Ankolo Lule Buleya mmatako mpaka kuwapha. Ankolo Lule anali ofunikia kwambiri pa mlandu wopha ma albino. Tiziti mukudziwapo kanthu nchifukwa mwasankha kukhala chete? Kumakhala ndi mzimu Ankolo.
Some witnesses have been bankrolled by DPP to lie or give false testimony.
Kunali anzawo aja anadula kolona pa msonkhano wa UDF to please Muluzi, munthu olengedwa ngati ine.
Pano even UDF inawataya pano akufuna mpingo omwe anaunyoza uja!
Nanuso a Simbuleta nthawi yanu idzakwana and tizanena history yake yomweyi
Iwe amene ukuti Sumbuleta ulibe family? Ntchito sukuifuna? Why do you want to please chipani choti chasala ndi mwezi umodzi m,boma. Nawenso ukufuna kupita nacho. Ndiwe chisiru eti? National interest ndi DPP basi,? Why not televising other political rallies. Bambo, nthawi yosangalasa chipani inapita, open your eyes.
Resistance imeneyi bwanjinso? Ukudziwapo kanthu za kusowetsedwa ndi kuphedwa kwa ma alubino iwe eti?
kkkkkkkk aise Yasser inenso ndikudabwa nawotu anthuwa. Chimene akutukwanila Sumbuleta ndi DPP ndi chiyani? Amenewadi akudziwapo kanthu. Akufuna tisamve live testimonies koma kudikila zodiak ndi Times kuti dzitinamize. Ayi ndithu mwauponda.
Akudziwapo kanthu amenewa that’s why all unnecessary delays. Mudzingomva kutukwanako akuyesa kuti awina kuti adzawatuluse anthu aowo. Mbc please appeal. What’s special with this case kuti akukanizeni. We are interested to hear from the horses mouths. Zotimwawinakale mudzachita manyazi pa 22 May 2019. Muwina tisanavote? Maballoti sanapulintidwe nkomwe inu mwawina kale. Mudzaphulikatu inu.
Tatopa nawo masewero anuwo mwezi omaliza uno kubwera achin Brian Banda kumeneko dikilani
Iwe Sumbuleta uyalutsa nazo ambuya ako omwe iziiiiiiiiiiiiiii and in the end it will be enough dis-campaigning tool against your DPP …………………………………………..! Mark my words? Zinthu zikamvutadi amakuluma ndi galu wapakhomo, ndaonela DPP ikulumidwa ndi Sumbuleta!!
Aubrey Sumbuleta should keep their fingers out. Why didn’t they televise live Chanthunya murder case? I hope the courts will not entertain this madness.
Sumbuleta ankhawula pa May pomwepa sukutali ..